Museum’s Muslin Dress Shows Romantic Summer Style

Whanganui Regional Museum resumes its Outfit of the Month series next month with a fine cotton muslin dress that dates from the early 1840s.

The dress selected for February is made from a self-striped cotton muslin that has been printed with six colours, using a mix of rolling and hand blocking.

Kaihāpai Taonga/Collections and Curatorial Lead, Trish Nugent-Lyne said the origin of the dress isunknown. “A label inside tells me that this dress came from the Wanganui Repertory Theatre, so we are not sure who the original owner or wearer was, but we know that she was tiny. She would have been 5ft or less (about 150cm) and with a 21-inch (53cm) waist.” The dress is entirely hand sewn.

Trish Nugent-Lyne will present and discuss the dress with an informal public talk. Members of the public are invited to hear her presentation in the Museum at 12.15 on Friday 26th January.

Entry to the event is free. Koha for the Museum is always appreciated. No booking is required, and all are welcome – meet in the Atrium. The dress will be on display in the Museum throughout February.

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